Life's A Beach

This past week was Wes's family's beach trip. We had an awesome time! We stayed at a NICE beach house (3 story) right on the beach. Every morning we'd get up around 8:30 and eat breakfast then go down and hang out at the beach. A few nights we stayed in and ate and a few we went out. This was DEFINITELY what we needed! This summer semester has been so stressful and it was so nice to get away and just relax at the beach. While we were down there we had to go back for a day to take finals. Although that kind of stunk, we really only missed one day at the beach. Wes ended up with all B's and I ended up with all A's. We were quite pleased. We just had such a wonderful, relaxing time. I hope we can do this every year at the same place. Wes's family were so fun and I am so blessed to have such an awesome new family! I love them so much! :)










This is the sweet beach house! 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms right on the beach!!



















This was our awesome view everyday! What a week! :)

Ugh

I haven't blogged in a while so I had some thoughts on my mind and figured I would now. I'm kind of upset right now. We leave for the beach tomorrow for Wes's family's big beach trip. I've been knowing about this beach trip for months and was REALLY wanting to loose at least 10 lbs. before it. Well, here I am the day before going and I have lost a few pounds, but probably gained them back these past 2 weeks. I was really enjoying working out and eating right. I had started to feel so much better....BUT...school has really taken it's toll on me the past 2 weeks. Because it's the end of the semester, so much was due and I found myself exhausted and drained. Needless to say, I stopped going to the gym and really started eating wrong again. I am still mindful of what I eat, but it seems so much harder when you are not working out and when you are very busy. I look back at pictures of myself from 2006-2008 and it just makes me sick. I was so thin in 2006. Slowly, I've packed on some pounds. My body has changed a lot (age=metabolism) and taking birth control did NOT help (gained about 25 lbs on it). I'm just ready to be back to a weight that I can feel comfortable at. I seriously feel like everyone will be starring at me the whole time at the beach (I'm going to wear a tankini and probably some shorts too). Even though no one probably pays it any attention, I feel like I'm just hanging out everywhere! Like a big protruding blob! I know I'm not obese or anything, but I've always been pretty well controlled with my weight. Anyway, I'm sorry I'm rambling, I just thought it would make me feel better to write out all these thoughts and feelings. I really hope to get back to the gym after this trip and start eating salads and stuff again. I know it's going to take a lot of effort (which is kind of discouraging) but I REALLY hope to be back at the size I want this time next year.

I Have Faith In My God Who Is Able!

This phrase kept repeating in my head all during church this morning. Needless to say, it was a quite emotional service. I really felt like God was speaking to me. All of the songs sang praises of His ability and sovereignty. All of our tiny worries seemed so vain. I guess I should first explain my and Wes's conversation before church. We were talking about babies. More specifically, whether or not I will work after they are born. My answer is no. Wes's was "more realistic". Needless to say, we got in a little tiff. I respect my husband wholeheartedly and I know he was trying to look out for us. We have no clue what our future might hold and our present financial situation is not one to be encouraged by. We were trying to figure out where our lives will go and where our bank total will go. We were so focused on OUR plans. What we failed to realize was GOD'S plans. As I said, the phrase: "I have faith in my God who is able" kept repeating over and over again in my head as soon as we found our seats in Frazer's contemporary service. All of the songs sang of his awesomeness and how mighty He is. All of the sudden it crashed upon me like a wave...if God can do such awesome things...surely and most assuredly He can make our budget available for me being a stay at home mom if He deems it so. As Christians, we know God takes care of us...but little by little this world sucks us in. We think WE are in charge. We determine our futures by going to college, we work to get that promotion, we do this, we do that. We forget the simplicity in trusting God. HE created us, HE knows where we are going and where He will allow us to go. It's actually getting out of our comfort zone sometimes to trust Him. We have our little pile of worries and dreams and plans and God is just saying maybe if you drop those for a second, I'll really blow your mind. After the service, I told my husband that I respected him. I believe that is important. I do. I also told him with tearful eyes what God had told me in church. We both agreed that before our children are even born, we will give them to God. Their furtures, our plans, our money, their lives. This will definitely be an everyday thing. We need to remind ourselves everyday who is really in charge. It is so easy to get smoke screened and believe that we are. We came home and had a great evening. While on the computer I checked my e-mail. I was deleting some spam mail when I read an e-mail entitled "Financial Aid Status". I had not seen that e-mail until today. I checked it and found that I received a Pell Grant. We will not have to pay for my school this year. I will graduate with no more loans. Already, God is showing us who is in charge and who will take care of us. I praise God and I have faith in my God who is able.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

What A Week!

Let's see, where do I begin? This has been such a crazy week! I guess I'll start with Monday...

Monday--Jon and Kate are getting divorced! I know, I know, it's all over the news and most people are tired of hearing it, but it still bothers me! Wes and I just stared at each other after we watched the episode. It was like watching a horrible car wreck. It's sickening and terrible, but you just can't seem to turn your eyes from it. I could go on and on about this, but basically it's just sad. They have grown so far apart. They are totally different people from when they first started this show. They used to be just a simple family from Pennsylvania, now they are "celebrities". This has really gone to their heads. Kate's a tanned, toned, Barbie woman now, and Jon is a tanned, pierced, partyer. Totally different from the NORMAL people they once were. It's just a train wreck. Many claim it's a publicity stunt...we shall see. I hate to support them by watching the show, but I can't help but to be curious as to how this is all going to pan out. Monday was also our 7 month marriage anniversary. How time flies! Also, I found out that I had a million things due in class that day and could not go to the gym, and instead became a slave to the computer and AUM.

Tuesday--Wes had a meeting with Autaugaville and they told him that he will be the assistant baseball coach and assistant football coach! Quite exciting! I'm so proud of him! It will definitely be nice to have the extra money...although I wonder if I will see him at all this year...LOL. I was also still enslaved to the computer and AUM this day.

Wednesday--QUITE sick of school and ready to quit. lol. I finally turned in my Science Resource File with 50 resources. Wow, that look a while. Finally got to go to the gym this day. It was nice to work out my frustrations on the equipment. Wes's parents surprised us and brought us groceries this day. It was such a blessing! They are so wonderful. I guess we were looking pretty poor...

Thursday--Today. The A/C went out in my car this morning. BOY was it a hot drive to school and back! I felt very unlucky today. Not only did that happen, but I was very sick to my stomach today and overflowed the toilet to make a BIG mess...TMI, I know, but I just want you to understand how rediculous this day has been. I am just hoping we can go to the beach this weekend (if Wes's loan refund comes in on time). I am totally worn out by school and totally needing a break! I am really trying to see the positive side in this week. I feel like Wes and I need to do a bible study or something. My attitude has not been that wonderful lately. I should really be seeing my blessings right now instead of all this other junk that's happening. I'm trying to seek God's will and His attitude, but I know I'm doing pretty poorly. Life can be tough sometimes, but I guess it is even tougher when your priorities are all mixed up. Marriage can definitely be tough too, and somedays I honestly feel like I suck at it. I guess I'm just really needing a break this week and hoping I can get one this weekend. Thanks for reading! (I'm sorry this is long-winded, but I felt like I needed to write it to get it off my chest.)

Summer Love

I just LOVE summertime! There is so much to do all of the time! Fishing, swimming, laying out, BBQing, grilling, flip flops, T-shirts, watermelon, gardening, movies outside, the beach...so lovely! :) We have planted the tomatoes in the garden. They are doing alright, seem to be a little scorched from this crazy heat we have been having! The heat index was 101 today and it's only June! There is no sign of our lettuce...well the packet did say lettuce likes COOL weather...so much for that. Speaking of lettuce and tomatoes, I'm doing pretty well with my diet. I basically eat salad...every day....BUT I love salad so it's really pretty easy for me. I've also worked out everyday (except the weekend) for about an hour since we've joined Planet Fitness. I really like it! I love the elliptical, the medicine balls, and the climbing machine thingy--not sure what it's called. I feel a lot better! I feel more toned already! And definitely more energized. My goal is to keep this up! Work out everyday except maybe the weekends (even though that may be hard because I'm kind of addicted!). I've also been tanning so I just feel like I look a little better, too. lol. I was beginning to feel sorry for people who had to look at me. Haha.

School is trucking along. I'm happy my classes have not been THAT hard...so far. Mainly just takes up time, which is most of the classes in the Education Dept. Funny enough, Wes is actually IN one of my classes now. Haha. It's pretty cool to sit beside my hubby in class...and play tic-tac-toe...lol. It's also funny to see him freak out about the assignments and I'm like "Wes, it's really not that hard. Just do it." LOL. Pretty interesting.

WELLL...I gave in and joined Twitter! (@kbirkeland is a bad influence, lol). It's actually pretty cool. I like knowing what my friends are up to...and getting texts about it. Pretty neat. Find me and follow me! www.twitter.com/nikkidunsieth

This is quite wordy, guess I had a lot to say...God Bless!! :)

Gym, Paint, and Gardens

Surprisingly we have been very productive lately! :) Today, we joined Planet Fitness! I am excited about going to workout. I've been eating salads for a while now and this weight is NOT budging. Ever since I started taking birth control pills, I've gained about 25 pounds and it WILL NOT budge. I am hoping some good workouts will do the trick. They also have tanning beds there so I hope to be back to my bronze self soon. I just hope I can make myself go everyday!

We have also been painting since Saturday. We painted the living room a light tannish color and the kitchen an olive color. Kirklands was having a sale so I got some stuff to go on the walls. I am happy with our progress. If we're going to be here a while, we might as well make it look good. Now if we could only replace the flooring, get a new stove, and replace the cabinets and countertops...

My dad, grandmother, uncle, and us have also started a garden. :) They planted peas and Wes and I planted lettuce and are going to plant the tomatoes soon. The tomatoes are still in pots right now. We hope to grow our own salad stuff since that's like all we eat. lol. It feels good that we have been so productive lately. :) Thanks for reading!

Wes Got A Job!!

As most of you know, Wes just got finished a few weeks ago teaching at Coosa Valley Academy. He was hired as an emergency hire so he could only teach 6 months. They invited him back, but to be honest, the pay was terrible. Ever since he tutored with Autaguaville and brought their graduation exam passing scores up 80%, they have shown a great interest in hiring him. He is tutoring with them again this summer. One day this week while Wes was turtoring, he was called in for an interview with Autuaguaville (this was not planned and he was wearing jeans and flip flops, so I actually had to turn around from going to school and get him some clothes, lol). Well.........THEY HIRED HIM!! :D He is going to be the Junior/Senior math teacher! Because his degree is not in math, he is only going to be hired for 1 year. If he passes his math Praxis, then he will probably be able to stay. If he does not, he still has a chance of staying on as a Social Studies teacher. Please pray for us! I'm ready for us to have some job security! I'm proud of you Wes!! :) (Oh, he might also be able to coach, too.)